21.2.15.Prominent climate denier’s work was funded by energy industry. And Willie Soon did not declare the $1m+ from ExxonMobil et al in papers.IPCC chair misses meeting due to sexual harrassment claims. Rajendra Pachauri claims his e-mail account was hacked to send in appropriate messages.
20.2.15.US will install air pollution monitors on embassies worldwide. The State Department hopes to replicate the success of its Beijing embassy, notably in India.US proposes new safety rules for Arctic drilling. They include capability to deploy a capping stack to plug the well within 24 hours, and a containment system within seven days.Harvard star alumni join divestment campaign. A letter boosts the students as they take the university to court.Russian expansionism may pose an “existential threat”: NATO General. Sir Adrian Bradshaw, the most senior British officer in NATO, talks of an era of “constant competition”.UK on track to hit 2020 renewables target of 15% in energy mix. As of 2013, ONS statistics show 15% of electricity comes from renewables.
19.2.15.Apple wants to start producing EVs, and as soon as 2020. It has been working in secret on an EV with a team now of 200 people and poaching Tesla and battery company staff.New hope that EU could ban tar sands. EU fuel quality directive gets a reprieve, opening the way for tar sands oil to be taxed out of the market.World’s biggest PR agency parts ways with American Petroleum Institute. After more than $300m in billings, Edelman ends a relationship giving it a PR problem.“Five charts showing how BP’s vision differs from a climate-friendly future.” Carbon Brief compares the BP Energy Outlook with the IEA’s Two Degrees scenario.
18.2.15.G20 climate pledges likely to determine success of Paris summit. So says a top EU official. A legally binding core is vital, and transparency and accounting are on the table.NOAA predicts 2015 could see coral bleaching on a global scale. If so, it be the third time in history and the first in the absence of an El Nino.Oil and gas industry protests Davey talk of “risky” assets. Oil & Gas UK letter of protest to the Secretary of State says industry is “deeply unsettled” about risk to investor sentiment.“Buffett dumping Exxon points investors to review oil bets”: Bloomberg. Berkshire Hathaway has sold all its shares in the last quarter of 2014. Also dropped ConocPhillips.Investors will say “game over” for most fossil fuels. Sooner than most people can imagine. Jeremy Leggett interview in Economic Valor (Brazil).Saudi Arabia burned >500,000 bd for power in 2014, the highest ever. Exports fell 5.7% to 7.11 mbd, reflecting Chinese demand drop. Saudi produced an average 9.7 mbd.“OPEC Production Cut May Not Be Needed After All”. So says Art Berman: U.S. tight oil production may fall 600,000 bpd by June 2015 based on projections of current rig counts.Gazprom presses ahead with pipeline to Turkey after South Stream dropped. CEO says shipping via Ukraine may halt in a few years. EU would need own pipelines from Turkey.California regulators allow PG&E to enable customers to go 100% solar. Customers could opt for 100% as soon as the end of 2015. Average all customers is now 25% RE ex hydro.
17.2.15.Rising energy demand at odds with fight against climate change, BP boss says. But it is up to governments to address this.IEA: rising Middle East militancy poses “major challenge” for oil supply. Fathi Birol says investors are being put off, stoking a supply problem.World’s biggest offshore windfarm given go-ahead off Yorkshire. The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck project, 200 turbines at 2.4 GW, will supply about 2.5% of UK electricity.
16.2.15.Oil traders celebrate the market rout from low oil prices. “The more volatility, the more arbitrage”, says one. What they call the contango is high at the moment.Actis to set up a $1.9bn renewable energy business in Africa. The UK-listed private equity group will create Lekela Power, a JV with Mainstream, a wind and solar developer.6,000 mosques to go solar in Jordan. Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources teams with its Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, first on 120, eventually all